A SPECIALIST clinical trials company has opened its doors in Northwich to give people access to breakthrough medicines and therapies for a variety of conditions and illnesses.

Located at a brand new, state-of-the-art practice centre in the Brickfield Business Centre, Elpida Sciences will be running later phase clinical trials for novel treatments, which could become the mainstream medicines of tomorrow.

Interest in clinical trials has increased over the past 12 months, with thousands of people coming forward to volunteer for Covid vaccination trials to help bring an end to the pandemic.

Elpida Sciences Medical Director and Principal Investigator, Dr Balgit Chhokar, hopes this newfound understanding of the importance of clinical trials will encourage more people in Cheshire to come forward and volunteer.

"Clinical trials improve our understanding of diseases and how they affect different people, Dr Chhokar said.

"They allow us to try ground-breaking new ways to treat them and give hope to patients with existing illnesses and conditions.

"But without volunteers, these trials can’t go ahead and innovation is impossible – that’s why volunteers are so important to us, and why we put the patient experience at the heart of everything we do at Elpida Sciences."

The fully regulated trials are completely voluntary, some are paid, and for people living with existing illnesses, can provide access to the latest medical advances which may improve their condition or their quality of life.

Throughout their trial, volunteers are cared for by the experienced team, who have previously worked for some of the biggest clinical trials companies in the UK.

Northwich Guardian:

Dr Balgit Chhokar

Elpida Sciences will be working with GPs and healthcare practitioners to its database, ensuring they are first to hear about new trials and therapies which could be beneficial to their patients.

Dr Chhokar added: "We want to work hand-in-hand with local practitioners in Northwich, the North West and North Wales.

"If they have a patient who are suitable to take part in a trial and would benefit from access to breakthrough treatments to improve their quality of life, we want to hear from them."

For more information, visit the website elpidasciences.com where you can sign up for updates to find out what trials will be looking for volunteers next.